Motorists warned vs 'Gagamba boys'

By Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities warned motorists coming from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 to watch out for a group of aggressive beggars dubbed as the "gagamba boys."

Police issued the advisory after a series of pictures documenting the modus operandi of the group surfaced in the Internet.

Police Chief Inspector Noelito Miranda of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Landside Security Patrol Station said the group usually targets vehicles coming from the airport that leave their windows partially open.

A beggar would force a hand or an arm inside the vehicle and ask the passengers for money. The boys would refuse to yield even when the vehicles already start moving.

While the boys do not steal from their targets, they would sometimes scratch the vehicle of those who refuse to hand over money, Miranda said.